Crystal Bowersox to play Patsy Cline on Broadway

Former "American Idol" contestant Crystal Bowersox will officially be taking a walk after midnight on Broadway.

Producers of the Patsy Cline musical "Always . . . Patsy Cline" said Tuesday that Bowersox will portray the legendary country singer in a new production this summer in New York. John Rando will direct, The Associated Press reports.

Performances begin in July with an August opening. The theater and exact dates haven't been announced.

Written in 1988 by Ted Swindley, "Always . . . Patsy Cline" is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and continued a correspondence with her until Cline's death in 1963 in a plane crash at age 30.

The musical features 27 Cline hits, including "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall To Pieces," "Crazy," "She's Got You," "Sweet Dreams," "Back in Baby's Arms" and "Your Cheatin' Heart." A live band accompanies the action.

Bowersox, born in Elliston, Ohio, had expressed interest in the project but producers only publicly announced its plans yesterday.